Retention of Agricultural Specialists

WHEREAS the Government of Alberta has stated that agriculture is a rapidly growing and complex industry;AND WHEREAS increasingly complex technological advances are forcing producers to gather specialized information to make timely production decisions (e.g. ILO’s and EFP’s);AND WHEREAS weather and insect infestations are becoming more prominent and having an increasingly detrimental effect on our agriculture production;AND WHEREAS the importance of and need for Provincial Agricultural Specialists and support staff is increasing rather than decreasing;AND WHEREAS the Government of Alberta continues to decrease the presence of Agriculture Specialists and support staff within Alberta by closing offices and reducing employees;AND WHEREAS the reduction of provincial employees in agriculture may lead to further downloading of responsibilities to rural municipalities’ agricultural employees with respect to agricultural programs, administration and specialized information;